Building block



H. J. KAUFMAN BUILDING BLOCK Jan. 1, 1935.

Filed Dec. 23, 1932 I N V EN TOR. Ham/0 (J Kaufman.

l STAT Patented Jan. l, 1935 i a n 7 he BUILDINGBLOCK 1 Harold]. Kaufman, Columbus; Ohio, Application December 23, 1932,"Se rial No. 648,682

b j 7 Claims. (oi. 72%41) "My. invention relates tobuilding bricks or blocks and method of producing the same. It has todo, more particularly, with a brick or block adapted i to be used for building purposes and which is "5 particularly adaptable to present-day building conditions. i n v p There have been many attempts to devise a brick or building block adapted to replace the standard type of brick which is now extensively used and which has been extensively .usedlfor years. However, none of the bricks or. blocks which have beenQdevised unto the present time haspossessed as manyfdesirable features as the standard type of brick possesses; The extensive use of the standard type-of "brick is duemainly to its durability, simplicity, strength and its flexi bility in use. None or the bricks or blocks 111th. erto devised to replacethe standard brick has possessed these features in thesarne degree as they are possessd by the standard brick. I, I

Although the standard type of brick possesses numerous advantageous features, it is quitedesirable that the weight. of the brick be reduced, provided this can be effected while retainingthe when brick of this type is used inawall structure;

A said numerous advantageous features, '.Thus, the transportationcharges are. material factors in the use of the brick and the labor costin handling is also afactor. I l f I f Likewise, if this type ofbrick is usedin alarge building, it is necessary to provide a comparatively strong and therefore, costly f supporting structure for the walls because of the weight of the brick. Furthermorawhenbrick of this type is incorporated inawall structure, hollow tile is often used toprovide greater insulation andreduce the weightand cost of thewall. Likewise,

due to the fact that the mortar in such structure sometimes shrinks, the seams therein tend wto open and permit moisture to enter thereinto; Since no drainage is provided for. in a wall structure made up of these'bricks, the moisture sometimespenetrates to the interior of wallwith harmful results)". t

Somejof the attemptsto devisea brick or building block adapted to replace the standard type of brickwhich is now extensively used and which is quite advantageous; because 'of its simplicity,

strength and flexibility in use, have involved the production of cored bricks. Ordinarily, however,

the cores or openings in these bricks have con,-

sisted of a few unduly large openings, with a tend ency towards inadvertently filling oflsueh. open s ith mq tan but which has i provide a method of producing bricks or blocks wall structure, with resultant difiiculties in estimating and handlingjdifiiculties withincreased wastage. One of the objectsofmyinvention'is toprovide a. brick'or building block which possesses: all the desirable features of the standard type of brick certain additional advantageous features; I V x Another object of myyinvention isto provide 7 a brick or building block which will be compara l5" tively light inweight while still possessing ample strength. Still another object of my invention is to pro-j vide a brick orbuilding block which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture. and which will possess a great amount of flexibility use. A further object of my invention is to provide a brick or building .block offlsuch a type that whena wall ismade up of bricks or blocks of thistype a greatamount of dead at spacewill be produced therein; which will serve; as an insu-l lating medium and a plurality of drainage channelswill alsq be produced in the wall. e A still further object of my invention is to of the type indicated in an efficient and economicalfmanner. 4 v In its preferred form, my invention contemplatesthe provision of a brick whichis made'of standard size. This brick is provided with cut out portionsat the back thereof and several apertures' cored through the body portion thereof so that its'weight will be 'rec luc'ed substantially while still maintaining ample compressive strength, The amount or percent that this brick can be reduced'in weight will vary depending'upon the different qualities of clay used and the manner in" which thebricks are produced. When a wall structure is, made up of thesebricks, a plurality of dead air spaces will beformedtherein and will serveas an insulating medium and a pluralityofv drainage channels will also be formed therein] These drainagechannels will conduct any'mois-" turewhich might seep into the wall to a desired point. J 11 .The preferred embodiment of my invention is;

shown in the accompanying drawing wherein" similar characters of reference designate corre-, sponding parts and wherein p perspective view of a preferred In Figure 1, I have shown the brick laid on one It will be understood that-the of its side edges. upper surface of the brick, asshpwn inliigure 1, will be the face of thebrick when it is incorporated in a wall structure andstheside onwhich the brick is resting will be the back of the brick,

The back of the brick is provided with cutaway por ions 2 and 3 whiqhiextend entirely through the'brick from. top tot bottom. These cutaway; porti nsare both preierablyo the sam Width and each. of these cutaway portions is. spaced an equal. distance, from the corresponding end of the brick. Furthermore, these cutaway portions extend back m othebri k acQusid I aMe is anc but preferably extend a distance which, is, less than one-half. he. depth. of said brick. By thetermidepth of .the, brickifll means the distance, from theface-of the bricktQ the back of such brickr a I. V

As'shown in the drawing, when the cutaway portions 2. andaare formed in the brick, a body portion 4 is. formed wh ch e te h en re length of thefbrick. and is preferably greaterin width than'one-half the'depth of the entirebrick'. From a point adjacent, each end of the body portion 4 and projecting rearwardly therefrom, are. formed outwardly extending portions 5 and 6; These portions 5 and 6 are, of equal width. An outwardly extending portion '1 is' also formed" midway between the length of the member 4. This portion 7 is substantially twice as wide, plus the width of a mortar joint, as each of the portions 5. and 6, for a purpose which W ll e e inafter apparent.

In addition to the. cutaway portions 2 andi3. which are formed in the brick, several other apertures which extend throu h the brick are formed. As shown in Figure 1', aslot 8 extending through the brick is formed partly in the body portion l of thebrick and partly in the rearwardly ex tending portion 7. This slot 8 extendsal nost the entire depth of the brick and is disposed midway between the length hereof.

As, previously stated,the body portion 4 of the brick is greater than one-half'the depth of such.

brick. Thebrick is made in this manner to pro.-

vide, Stability and so that a plurality of small,

vertical apertures which extend through the brick may be formed in the body portion 4: without reducing the strengthof the brick beyond safe limits. -I have shown four'Of these aperture v.9 formed therein but, obviously, I am not limited tothis number, These apertures 9 are disposed in a single row, substan i l y midway betw en the. face of the brick and the inner walls of the cutaway portions, 2 and 3. A pair Of these aper tures 9 is formed on each side of the slot 8. A

ribQa separates the apertures 9. of each pair.

' However; these ribs so could be l min ed f desired'and slots similar to the slot 8 could-be formed, which would extend lo itud na y of thebr-ick .on each side of the said slot 8.

. my brick, the same stability erably used in combination for both purposes.

It will be understood from this description and from reference to the accompanying drawing, that a brick embodying the principles of my invention will have load-bearing portions at each end which extend for the entire depth of the brick, which is preferably of standard size. It will also be understood that a similar load-bearing portion is provided midway between the length of the brick but this portion is substantially twice s w de lu Wi Q e mer er e t the qawh ar ns Denier s s d t e ch he 0f the brick. Thus, at all load-bearingpo'ints, my brick will be of the same depth as a standardbrick. This will, thereforegive a wall which is made of as if it were made of standar ick j It will be apparent that a brick of the type described could be used, with any standard brick,

either for facing or backing purposes and is pref- It wi l al o e p ar nt hat e t r or. both t apertures 9; and the slot 8 may be eliminated if de ir dg In Figure 2 I have. shown awall structure made. up a f a kin ic d a ow a facing bricks F. 'All of these bricks are identical in structure to that shownin Figure, 1.

The front row of bricks is laid'in such a manher. that 'thecutawayportions 2 and '3, thereof will correspond to. the corresponding cutaway p r ions. 2 and f the bae sx ow o br ck Thus. vertica pa sa e a .1, of. compa a iv great cross-section are formed the wall structure. Furtherm re, all he ffe ent a e f. ick a la d. i standard runnin b nd. n as a wa s. 0. n he lowe y r o bricks wi co re ond to; h assagew s 1Q med. n. the ye next above. Thus, the wall structure will have pas: saeeways 0. ext ndi g, he e i heig hereo These ssa ewa s will t s! d a ai s ace which se ve. insulat n medium. for h W ik wise. th se. pa a ewa i ser 11 Qfi mo tur i lm eht s p. nt

their; due q'the hrinkae efme itar r t oth r factor.

The laye s of brick wi a so e disp s re ative t ea h e he tha theenei' ii fe 't i bricks in the'bottom layer will corres to the apert res o he bricks. in the la rheti b i his m i er a l ra ty of sma er qal pa saseware 1 w ll e er duce t e Wall t ucuse by th ape u s. 92 Thes assageways inc them rta a he e eei tsis to series 9 we P sed, se e a dr in e pa sa eways see al as d d ir eacesen th hea a e on the bricks, it is placed along the forward por% tion thereof and a part of it will key both up and down into these apertures 9 and serve to more firmly anchor the layers of brick together.

Since the rearwar'dly projecting portion 7 at the middle of the brick is substantially twice as wide, plus the width of a mortar joint, as each of the projecting portions 5 and 6 at the ends of the brick, the front row of bricks may be disposed in over-lapping relation'to the back row of bricks, and the cutaway portions 2 and 3 of the front row will align with the corresponding porti ns'z an 3 o h back qwwise. because of this structure of the brick, the bricks of the adjacent layers of the wall may be disposed in ouerslappingrelation and the corresponding cutaway portions 2 and 3 of the bricks of different ayers w ll ,i erres q d i h, ea h other. he apertures .9 a lthe d fierentlayers of b i k wi correspond with each other, due to this structure.

I 1 As shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, the bricks of the lowermost'course are laid transverselynof the row of facing brick and the. row of backing brick. This is commonly known in the trade as a1rowlock course andserves to join the front. part of the wall to the rear part "of the wall; Furthermore, since the lowermost courseof bricks islaid in this-manner, it serves to close .the lower ends of all the vertical passageways in the wall. Likewise, I a plurality of horizontal drainage troughs 10b is formed by arranging the'lowermost course of bricks in this manner and these troughs communicate with the vertical passagewaysin the wall. Thus, any moisture seeping into the wall, as during a severe storm, will pass 1 downwardly through the vertical channels in the wall andthen 'into the horizontal drainage troughs 10b, by means of which the moisture maybe conducted to any desired point. 'If de sired, one end of one or more'of thebricks may I be broken off, as shown at 100, so that the moisture may bedrawn off from. the drainage troughs. A drain may be connected to the wall through the medium of the passageformed by breaking off the end of the brick.

parent that a half of my. brick may be used when desired. The slot 8 extends substantially the en-. tire depth of the brick, substantially midway. between the ends, so that the brick may be readily broken into halves with a trowel or hammerfi I In Figure 3, I have illustrated diagrammatically the preferred method which I employ in producing my bricks. With this method the clay is first mixed "as in the well known stiff mud 1 process and is placed in a suitable container.

This container is provided with a die 16 through which the plastic'clay is adapted to be forced in a well known manner. This die is slightly greater 'inheight and width than the depth and length of the bricks which are to be produced. The lower portion of the die is provided with. up-

A wardly projecting members 2 and 3.. I These projecting members are adapted to produce the cute away portions 2 and 3 in the brick. .A plurality of bars 9 and a bar 8' which are rigidly supported at their rear ends on a suitable support have their forward ends projecting forwardly into the die 16.v These'bars are adapted to produce the apertures 9 and the slot 8 in the brick.

It will be apparent that, when the plastic clay is forced through the die, it will first pass around the support 25 forthepars 8 and 9'. Then, after the clay passes the support, it will completely ,en-

"velop the bars 8 and 9. When the clayis forced through the openingin the die, a slab of clay will be produced which will be slightly wider and thicker. than the. length and depth of the brick to be finally. produced. ,Because the opening in the die is provided with the members 2 and 3 projecting therein and the ends of the bars 8 and 9' projecting therein, theslab of clay willhave. the cutaway portions 2 and 3 on the under surface thereof and a slot 8 andaperture 9 extending throughout the length thereof; It. will be ap-:

parent, however, that "either or both the bars'8'. I

andthe bars 9! may be eliminated from the die' in order toproduce different types of bricks.

I Whentthe slab of clay emerges from the die 16, it passes ontota" belt conveyer 1'7 which conveys it to a cutting'Ttable 18. This cutting table 18 is dividedinto several portions 19 which .are separated by slots 20. These portions 19 are slightly greater in width than the thickness of the brick to be producedQThe portions 19 are provided with upwardly projecting members 2a and 3a which are adapted to fit within the cutaway portions 2 and 3 of the slab of clay. IIt'will be apparent that the slab of clay will 'move along the conveyer 1'7 and will be moved onto the cutting table 18. Whenthe slab of ."clay moves onto the cutting table, the cutaway portions 2 and 3 thereof will fit over the upwardly extending portions 2a and 3a of the members 19. The members 2a and 3a will prevent distortion of theislab of clay during the cutting operation. The cutting operation may be perclay will becompletely cut into a number of.

bricks.

It will, likewise, be apparent that a seriesof upwardly extending segments, similar to members 201. and 3a, may be applied to the conveyer 17 to fit into the portions 2and 3 of the slabofblay as it emerges from the die, and to support the slab at these points. These members on the conveyer may be necessary if a delicate clay, which requires careful handling, is being used in producing-the bricks.

The bricks which are produced in this manner will be slightly greater in dimensions than the brick to be produced. Likewise, the slot 8 is also brick will be facilitated because of the cutaway portions 2 and 3, the aperture '9 and the slot'8, and that there will be less tonnage to burn and, consequently, a saving in fuel. I When certain'qualities of clay are used in producing my brick, it may be desirable to employ the recently developed process of de-airing the clay while it is being formed, in conjunction with the methodwhich I preferably use for producing brick of the typecontemplated by my invention. Thus, during the time the clay is forced from the container through the die 16, the air may be constantly withdrawn fromthe container and a vacuum may be maintained therein so that the clay will be d'e-airedfiduring the time it is being shaped. It has been found thatby drawwhile stillpossessed of ample strength, are com paratively lightin weight. Because of the fact. thatmy brick, is very light in weight, transportation and freight costs which are incurred in shipping thebricks from themanufacturer to the jobber ,or to the consumer are comparatively. less.

. 55. from the preceding de more bricks per day. Another advantageous tea-1 ture of my brick, due to its lightweight, is the fact that when: bricks. made inaccordance with my invention are used, especially in. large building structures, it will not be necessary to provide such strong and costly supporting structures for the walls.

binationfor both purposes.

My brick is also of such a structure that, when it is incorporated; a wall structure, a great amount of dead airspaces will beformed which will: serve as an insulating medium for the wall structure. Likewise, when my brick is used in a wall.v structure, 'a-plurality of vertical drainage channels will be produced-which tend to convey any -:moisture whichimight seep into the wall structure, to the bottom of said structure where the horizontal drainage troughs will conduct it to: a'desired point. 1 I I As previouslystated, my brick is formed in such a,- manner' that. it will havefull standard brick width at'all: load-bearing points, thereby giving substantially as'much strength and stability to a wall composed of such brick as if it werecomposedof' standard brick. Furthermore, thisbrick may be used with any standard brick, either for facing'orbacking purposes, or preferably in com- The flexibility of use of'my brick is substantially as great as that ofthe standard type of brick. It is only necessary to provide one sh'apeof brick and special shapes'forcorners or other purposes'are not required. 4 .t --It will beapparent that although I have described my brick as being of standard size, the principles of my invention may be embodied in bricks or blocks, ofany desired size, and by the term ,brick used: in the specification, I intend to cover'such bricks or blocks.

Havingthus described my invention, what'I- claimis: t

l.-,A building block-having a pair 'of cutaway 7 portions on the rear side thereof with the outer sides of said cutaway portions open, said cutaway portions extending through the entire thickness of the block but extending forwardly into the block a distance less than one-half the depth of the block so that a body portion which extends'the entire length of said block and which is greater in depth than one-half the depth of said block throughout its length is formed'said body :1 portion being provided with rearwardly extend-.

ing. portions at each end and a rearwardly extending portion midway between its ends, the rearwardly extending portion disposed midway between, the ends of the block being slightly greaterin width than twice thewidth of'each of the end extending portions, a slot formed mid- 7 way between the ends of saidblock for facilitating cutting. or breaking thereof into halves, part.

of the said slot'being formed in said body portion of the block and part being formed in said rearwardly extending portion which is disposed midway between the ends thereof and extending entirely through the thickness of the block, the said slot having bothits rear end and its forward end closed and extending from a point spaced slightly from the face of said. block to a point spaced rality of spaced openings formed in said-block at each: side of said slot and extending through the entire thickness thereof, all the walls of said block with'the exception of the walls between the adjacent spaced openings being of substantiallyiuniform thickness. Y

2. A building block having a pair of cutaway depth of the block so that a body portion which extends the.- entire length of said block and which is greater in depth than one-half the depth of said block throughout its length is formed,said body portion being provided with rearwardly extending portions at each end and a rearwardly extending portion midway between its ends, the rearwardly extendingportion disposed midway between the ends of the block being slightly greater in width than twice the width of each of the end extending portions, a slot formed midway between the ends of said block for facilitating cutting or breaking thereof into halves, part of the said slot being formed in said body portion of the block and part being formed in said rearwardly extending portion which is disposed midway between the ends thereof and extending entirely through the thickness of the block, the saidslot having both its reariend and its forward end closed and extending from a pointspaced from the face of said block to a point spaced from the rear extremity of said last-named rearwardly extending portion, and openings formed in said block at each side of said slot and extending through the entire thickness of said block.

3. Abuilding block having a pair of cutaway portions on the rear side thereof with the outer sides of said cutaway portions open, said cutaway portions extending through the entire thickness of the block but extending forwardly into.

theblock a distance less than one-half the depth.

of the block so that. a body portion which extends the entire length of said block and'which is greater in. depth than one-half the depth of said block throughout its length is formed, said body portion being provided with rearwardly exrearwardly extending portion disposed midway between the ends of the block being slightly greater in width than. twice the width of each of the end' extending portions, a slot formed midway between the ends of said block for facilitating cutting'or breaking thereof. into halves, part of the said slot being formed in said body portion of the block and part being formed in said rearwardly extending portion which is disposed midway between the ends thereof and extending entirely through the thickness of the block, the said slot having both its rear end and its forward end closed and extending from a point spaced from the face of said block to a point spaced from, the rear extremity of said last-named rearwardly extending portion.

' 4. A building block having cutaway portions on the rear side thereof with the outer sides of said cutaway portions open, said cutaway portions ex tending through the entire thickness of the block but extending forwardly into the block a distance less than one-half the depthof said block so that a body portion which extends the entire length of said block and which is greater in depth than onehalf the depth of said block throughout its length is formed, said body portion being'provided with rearwardly extending portions at each end thereof and a rearwardly extending portions between the end rearwardly extending portions,lthe rearwardly extending portion which is disposed between the end rearwardly extending portions being slightly greater in width than twice the width of each of the end extending portions, a

slot formed in said bloclofor facilitating breakextending portions.

; inthe body portion of formed in said rearwardly extending portion length,

block to a point spaced of said rearwardly extending portion which is dis- 5. A building block having cutaway portions on the rear side thereof with the outer sides of said cutaway portions open, said cutaway portions extending through the entire thickness of the block and extending forwardly into the block a suitable distance so that atbody portion is formed which extends throughout the length of said block and which is of substantial depth throughout its said body portion being provided with rearwardly extending portions at each end thereof and a rearwardly extending portion between theend rearwardly extending portions, the rear wardly extending portion which is disposed between the end rearwardly extending portions being slightly greater in width than twice the width of each of the end extending portions, a slot formedin said block for facilitating breaking or cutting thereof, part of the said slot being formed the block and part being which is disposed between said endrearwardly extending portions, the said slot having both its rear end and its forward end closed and extending from a point spacedfrom the face of'said from the rear extremity posed between said end'rearwardly extending portions.

entire length of said throughout its length,

' ing portions being v 6. A building block having cutaway portions on the rear side thereof with the outer sides of said cutaway portions open, said cutaway portions extending through the entire thickness of the block but extending forwardly into the block a distance less than one-half the depth of said block so that a body portion is formed which extends for the entire length of said block and which is greater in depth than one-half the depth of saidblock throughout its length, said body portion being provided with rearwardly extending portions at each end thereof and a rearwardly extending portion between the end rearwardly extending portions, the rearwardly extending portion which is disposed between the end rearwardly extending portions being slightly greater in width than twice the width of each of the end extending portions,

and a slot formed in said block for facilitating cutting orbreaking thereof, said slot extending from a point adjacent the'face of the block towards the rear side of said block and extending through the entire thickness of the block, the front and rear ends of said slot being closed.

7. A building block having cutaway portions on the'rear side thereof with the outer sides of said cutaway portions open, said cutaway portions extending through the entire thickness of the block but extending forwardly into the block a distance less than one-half the depth of said block so that a body portion is formed which extends for the in depth than one-half the depth of said block said body portion being provided with rearwardly extending portions at each end thereof and a rearwardly extending portion between the end rearwardly extending portions, the rearwardly extending portions which is disposed between the end rearwardly extendslightly greater in width than twice the widtho f each of the end extending portions, the outermost extremitiesof all of said block and which is greater rearwardly extending portions being solid or continuous.

' HARQLD J. KAUFMAN. 

